NBA Betting Scandal Widens as Rozier Faces New Charges

(AsiaGameHub) –   New York federal prosecutors have ramped up their case against former NBA guard Terry Rozier, claiming he accepted a six-figure sum to deliberately cut short his playing time in a game during his stint with the Charlotte Hornets.

Indictment Alleges Rozier Assisted Bettors With Planned Early Game Exit

Per a newly updated indictment, investigators believe Rozier colluded with a group of bettors to exit a March 2023 matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans early. The alleged plot was meant to impact wagers tied to his individual performance, specifically bets that he would not hit his typical statistical benchmarks, The New York Times reported.

Court filings show Rozier had discussed his plans with an acquaintance, who then passed the details on to gamblers. Those individuals are said to have placed large wagers under the assumption that the player would get limited time on the court. Rozier left the game in the first quarter with underwhelming stats and just over nine minutes of playing time.

The initial negotiated payment was allegedly around $100,000, but that sum was later reduced after some bets failed to pay out, as his total rebound count was higher than expected, authorities said. The scheme depended on non-public information that was unavailable to the general public and sportsbooks, giving bettors an unfair edge, prosecutors note.

Rozier Case Grows As Gambling Scheme Ensnares Additional Defendants

However, the case has expanded into a broader probe involving multiple accused individuals and claims of fixed game results and insider betting. One of the charged gamblers has already admitted in court to paying a professional player to manipulate his performance. Prosecutors have identified Rozier as the athlete referenced in that admission.

Rozier has denied any wrongdoing. His legal team says the case is built on unreliable testimony from cooperating witnesses who are seeking lighter sentences. His lawyer has also challenged the legal basis of the charges, arguing that recent Supreme Court precedent limits the scope of federal fraud statutes in cases involving intangible information.

Rozier, who already faced wire fraud allegations, now faces counts of sports bribery and conspiracy to commit fraud. The NBA and Hornets have also been listed by prosecutors as parties allegedly harmed by the scheme.

The case has raised broader questions about the integrity of professional sports in the era of legalized gambling. It has long been assumed that highly paid athletes would have little incentive to risk their careers for comparatively small sums, but the case indicates these risks still exist. Rozier, who earned over $160 million over the course of his NBA career, has not played since his arrest last year. He has filed a motion to dismiss the charges, but a judge has not yet issued a ruling on the request. Legal proceedings are ongoing, and the future trajectory of the case remains unclear.